"My husband and I were living in South Carolina, and we both got job offers in Memphis, so we moved down, but when we got here, we found out the organization that had offered the jobs didn’t even exist. I started working for temp services, but then that fell through. We did little odds and ends jobs, but we were barely making it. Then he passed away and I was on the streets. I didn’t have anything to live on, but someone showed me where the soup kitchen was, so I started coming here every day to eat. They serve meals 365 days a year, and it saved my life. My situation has changed for the better since that time. I have my own house now and all my finances are straightened out. On July 1, 2010, I went from being a soup kitchen guest to being a volunteer. I still come every day except for Sunday---I take that day off---but now I’m handing out tickets, assisting the handicapped guests, and doing whatever else is needed. This is a fantastic place. Every day we have a crowd to feed. If you’re homeless, come here and eat with us. We’ll pray with you if you need it. Or if you need someone to talk to, come look for me. I’ll sit down with you and listen."

For more information about the upcoming Friends of the Poor Walk/Run to benefit the Ozanam Center St. Vincent de Paul food mission, click HERE.

St. Vincent de Paul Food Mission: "The Saint Vincent de Paul food mission in Memphis is critically important to the people we serve. It is the only food mission in midtown open every day. Open about two hours each day, seven day a week, 365 days a year it provides for the hunger of our guests."